The Gift of Thanksgiving
Montclair, New Jersey is a mere 6.24 square miles. About 12 miles west of Manhatten. A population of about 5,000 per square mile. Small in comparison to innumerable other cities around the world. A span easily transversed by one of the many Montclair High School lacrosse players running, in unison, as they prepare for another spring season. Or skateboarded by a group of young teenagers, showing off their new tricks, to young teenage girls. Or driven, with music blasting from slow-moving cars, looking for admiration from the right guy or gal.
However, space isn’t what makes a place special. Space is merely space. It is empty and lifeless when devoid of living beings and their creations. A fact, Montclair resident, Buzz Aldrin, ascertained while traveling to the moon and back.
So what makes Montclair so special? The people, of course. The living, breathing, working, struggling and thriving people of just a few square miles. Each with their own unique story, which creates one unified culture, for the city within and for the world abroad.
This Thanksgiving, I would like to share the unique story of Sandy Wright…
Sandy woke on a cold morning in old Montclair. Uncommonly cold for late November. It was one of those mornings most wanted to stay under the covers and never come out. However, Sandy’s father insisted she get out of bed, shower and be downstairs for breakfast by 7:30 AM sharp. Although, she was off from school and wanted to sleep in, she complied.
The Wright family had been residents of Montclair for many decades. A long tradition of people who had found great success as entrepreneurs, teachers, lawyers and doctors. Every member of Sandy’s family, from her great grandfather to her older brother, Nate had a diploma from Montclair High School. In addition to her parents and grandparents, many of her aunts, uncles and cousins had either played sports or were on the sideline, cheerleading. The Wright Family had several members inducted into the Montclair High School Athletic Hall of Fame. They were and still are considered Montclair royalty.
It was obvious to Jon and Amy Wright, by the time Sandy was 2 years old, she was going to be a challenge. Meaning she was bright, filled with boundless energy and she asked lots of questions. She was very different from her three older siblings. Actually, she was very different than just about any person they knew of…anywhere. Her most obvious trait is she showed relentless courage. She independently fought for what was true for her and never backed down to anyone, including her teachers, the local minister and the family doctor. Which, of course, didn’t make Sandy popular among her peers. Quite often she would be riduculed and did have to endure more than a few school bullies. Her school evaluations, from 2nd grade onward, included “bright and intelligent but disrupts the class with endless questions and often, inappropriately, challenges authority.” Jon and Amy Wright had their hands full.
“Okay, I am awake and here, Dad,” Sandy said as she sat down at the family’s kitchen table.
“Good. I wanted to talk with you before I headed off for work. Tomorrow, as you know, is Thanksgiving and, as usual, we have a lot of family coming to visit. Have you wrote what you’re thankful for yet?”
“Oh yes. Believe it or not, I started writing it about 6 months ago. This past May, my high school teacher had given us an assignment in which we had to write about the meaning of life. This inspired me to consider what I’m most thankful for, and while having my lunch in the amphitheater I started writing that as well. I completed it a few days ago. I’m eager to share it with the family,” Sandy answered.
Upon hearing her answer, Jon Wright thought — how immensely proud he was of his daughter. Although, since the moment of her birth he rarely had a dull moment, he was thankful for how many lessons she had taught him in the past 14 years. And how fortunate he was for having a daughter just like her.
Before Sandy could finish her breakfast, her father was racing off to Watchung Station to catch the train into Manhatten. As an international marketing executive for a big oil company, he worked a lot but rarely ever missed a family event. Her two older brothers and sister were still upstairs sleeping. They had returned from college a few days ago. Her mom was still sound asleep as well. So the house was quiet. But not for long. She knew once her two brothers were up, most likely around noon, it was off to the corner of Chestnut and Forest for some large meatball subs at Calabrese. And Sandy was expected to hold her own with nothing less than a large sub for herself. Her brothers wouldn’t have it any other way.
The day flew by in an instant and Thanksgiving had arrived for the Wright Family. By noon, it was time for Montclair High School Football and off they went to Woodman Field. Coach Fortunato, in his 44th and final year as Head Coach, among 9,000 spectators, took on the undefeated Passaic Indians. Montclair stars — Brady Wells and Quintus McDonald played their hearts out. However, Passaic’s Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, scored with 11:01 in the game to seal the deal — Passaic Indians 13, Montclair 9.
A very hungry Wright Family returned home for Thanksgiving dinner. And more than 25 family members piled into the Wright home on Westview Avenue, just up the street from Northeast Elementary School.
Dinner came and went like lightening. All the food just about eaten. It was now that time for the Wright Family to present to one another what they were thankful for this Thanksgiving Day. Sandy successfully persuaded her mother and father to schedule her reading last in the line-up.
After about an hour of various family members speaking, Jon Wright announced — “Alright, we have heard from everyone but Sandy, so last but certainly not least, my daughter, Sandy Wright…”
Sandy stood straight up, with her reading in hand, looked at the paper and put it back down. She paused for a moment and looked at every one of her family members. She looked at each one slowly. She began a verbatim speech from what she wrote, without looking at a single, written word.
“I’m thankful for a gift. A God-given gift that can never be taken away. The gift of you. The gift of me. You are you and I am me. And the same…we will never be. Among billions and billions of people in the world, there’s only one you and there is only one me. And God gave us this gift to be truly together and free.
“I am thankful for those who can see the differences in you and me and every other living entity.
“I am thankful for those who can see clearly every person’s point of view. Even if they are, at this time, among the few.
“I am thankful for those who understand. They may not always agree but they can clearly see. And it is truly them that is ensuring we have a world that can be free.
“I am thankful for the many who have come before us to pave a more tolerant way. Who ensured all of mankind could have an opportunity to have their say, as well as, choose where they want to pray.
“I am thankful for those who, with uncommon courage, made their stand to ensure those intolerant of differences, didn’t expand.
“I am thankful for you and I am thankful for me. Working together, among our differences and similarities, we can truly be. And when we can truly be, we will all be free.”
You could hear a pin drop in that room. The entire Wright Family just looked upon Sandy Wright with the utmost admiration. Some members of the family stood up and clapped. Other members wiped tears from their eyes. Others were in awe.
So what makes Montclair so special? The people, of course. They, and the people abroad, are the true gift of Thanksgiving.
©E.B. Peters (aka Erik Bayersdorfer, Montclair, NJ resident ’73 — ‘90)
